Dave Robertson has been sacked as manager by Peterborough United

Peterborough United have sacked manager Dave Robertson following a terrible start to the season.

The Posh have lost four and drawn one of their first five games in all competitions and Robertson's demise was announced on Sunday, following the 2-1 League 1 loss at Southend the day before.

In a long statement on the club's website, chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: ''I would personally like to thank David for stepping in last season when the club was at a low point after the previous manager's departure.

"He steadied the ship, put a smile on everyone's faces again and worked tirelessly each day to improve the club's fortunes on the pitch. 

"After the season had finished, I felt it fair to give David a proper shot and appointed him first team manager on a full time basis with the remit to get our young squad ready and prepared for a proper promotion challenge this season whilst attempting to play the kind of football our fans have become accustomed to over the last eight or nine years.

"Unfortunately after yesterday's result and the manner of defeat, I felt it was time to take action and make a change as it had become plain to see our young squad was under-performing and playing nowhere near their potential.

"Make no mistake, our players must also shoulder responsibility for this awful start to the season which has now led to a great person losing their job. 

"It has been said by some fans this season that I have lost my own hunger/appetite as Chairman of the Posh, that I haven't made the necessary investment to take the team forward and that my ambition for the club to be promoted is not serious. 

"Nothing could be further from the truth, I am driven every day to improve the football club, to get us back into the Championship, to ensure the fans get what they want, to answer the critics head on and being committed to getting back to having a club/team everybody in the city of Peterborough can be proud of. 

"The current squad in transfer fees alone has cost me over £4 million, so to be accused of going down the cheap route doesn't sit well with me."

MacAnthony had further strong words for the Peterborough players.

He said: "Being blunt and direct about our current squad, talent-wise it's up there with some of our previously successful groups, but talent only gets you so far and if they wish to replicate previous successes they have to figure out quickly that talent is a start but you need to have an incredible work ethic, desire, bottle, your team-mate's back and above all else a winner's mentality with a never-give-up attitude. 

"I am all for being patient, allowing younger players to grow and improve, but I don't have time for people who fail to work hard for one another on the pitch regardless of their age, price tag or previous playing history. 

"Every member of our football squad is now playing for their own futures, careers and that of their team-mates around them."